Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali on Wednesday claimed that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was quite serious on providing 12% reservation in jobs and education to Muslims in Telangana State.
Addressing the Minority Day function to mark the 127th birth anniversary celebration of Moulana Abul Kalaam Azad at Ravindra Bharathi here, the Deputy CM said that the process for giving reservation was getting delayed to avoid possible legal and constitutional hurdles. He said it was easier for TRS Government to enact a legislation giving 12% reservation for Muslims. However, the same would get scrapped in a court of law. Therefore, in order to avoid such legal complications, the State Government is moving in a cautious manner on the issue.
Mahmood Ali said that the TRS made the 12% Muslim reservation promise while expecting a non-BJP Government at the Centre. He said KCR has been exploring means to pursue the case of Muslim reservation in the changed circumstances. Without naming anyone, he criticised one institution for building pressure on the government over 12% Muslim reservation. He said submission of memorandums to MROs would not bring reservation for Muslims.
The Deputy CM also listed out various steps being taken by the TRS Government for educational development of Muslims in the State. He said earlier, there were 1100 government schools for a population of six lakh. However, there are just 800 schools for a population exceeding 70 lakh. He said this gap was being reduced. He informed that the State Government would establish 60 English medium residential schools every year for minority students from the next academic year.
Mahmood Ali also recalled the services of Moulana Azad for the nation, especially as the country’s first education minister.
Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatraya informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was implementing 16-point programme for the development of minorities at the national level. He also listed out other schemes being implemented by the BJP-led NDA Government for the education and economic development of minorities.
Addressing the gathering, Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao criticised KCR for skipping the event. He said if KCR was serious on welfare of minorities, then he must also attend their functions. He said only speeches would not bring development for minorities.
MLCs N. Ramchander Rao and Amin-ul-Hassan Jafferi, MLAs Kauser Mohiuddin and Elvis Stephenson, Minorities Welfare Department Special Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel and other senior officials were also present.
Moulana Azad National Award was given to Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust chairman Ghyasuddin Babu Khan and Saudi journalist Sameera Aziz. Several teachers and students of Urdu medium were also felicitated on the occasion. (INN)